A bill to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 5314) to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 5314, a bill to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center.

Senator James Inhofe was born in 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and served until 1958. After serving in Oklahoma State politics and serving as the mayor of Tulsa, Senator Inhofe was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing Oklahoma's First District.

Senator Inhofe then represented the State of Oklahoma in the United States Senate from 1994 until 2023. Senator Inhofe chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee, and was instrumental in passing legislation which ensures our Nation's defense and the well-being of our servicemembers.

Senator Inhofe will be remembered for his long legacy of public service, from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Senate, and I am proud to name this VA medical center after him.

Anyone who knew Senator Inhofe knew how much he cared for our Nation's men and women in uniform. I thank the sponsor of this bill, Senator Lankford, as well as the entire Oklahoma delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 5314, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Hern), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am ready to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great honor and pride to the legacy of the remarkable Oklahoma Senator James Mountain Inhofe and to support S. 5314, a bill sponsored by my colleague Senator Lankford to name the new VA medical center in Tulsa after this towering figure in our State's history, and I would argue, in our Nation's history.

This new 275,000-square-foot, 58-bed medical-surgical VA hospital will bear the name of James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center, a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his career to championing our military, our veterans, and their families.

Senator Inhofe's legacy of service is unmatched. From his early days as mayor of Tulsa to his decades in the Senate, he fought tirelessly for the men and women who wear the uniform of this Nation.

I thank Senator Lankford for leading this effort in the Senate and for ensuring the unanimous passage of this important bill.

It was an honor to introduce companion legislation in the House alongside the Oklahoma delegation, knowing how much this hospital's name will mean to our veterans and their families.

For those of us privileged to call Senator Inhofe a friend, this is deeply personal. His unwavering dedication to our State and our Nation, his tireless advocacy for those who served, and his steadfast leadership left an indelible mark on every corner of Oklahoma.

Naming this hospital in his honor ensures his legacy will endure, reminding us all of the standard he set as a public servant.

Oklahomans knew Senator Inhofe as their Senator, their mayor, their advocate, and most importantly, their friend. This designation is more than a tribute. It is a promise to carry forward his commitment to the men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedom of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise to express my support for S. 5314, a bill to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center, introduced by Senator Lankford of Oklahoma.

This legislation is a fitting tribute to the long and dedicated service of former U.S. Senator James Inhofe, whose legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to serving Oklahoma's veterans and ensuring that they receive the care and services they have earned.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Senator Inhofe served in the Army before becoming a Senator. He demonstrated a lifelong commitment to service to his community until his death earlier this year.

As we continue to make investments and support construction projects to improve veterans' access to care at VA facilities, we will remember Senator Inhofe's tireless support of the new VA facility that is currently under construction and that will soon bear his name.

Mr. Speaker, I support S. 5314 and ask that my colleagues do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 5314 to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 5314, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.